Property Design Award for the Palace of the Commonwealth
On January 23, during a ceremonial gala organized as part of 4 Design Days in Katowice, the Property Design Awards for 2025 were presented for the best buildings and interiors commissioned in 2024. The Palace of the Republic, part of the National Library, was awarded in the category Interior Design: Public Facilities.
Konior Studio, responsible for the awarded interiors, was represented by Tomasz Konior, president and chief designer, Dominik Koroś, creative director, Małgorzata Golenko, architect from Pas Projekt and representatives of Group AV: Agata Sitko, president, Dominik Budyń, architect, and Sławomir Skowroński, member of the board.
On behalf of the National Library, the award was received by director Tomasz Makowski and deputy director Dominik Cieszkowski. Makowski said: "The Palace of the Republic is lucky with its architects: first Tylman van Gameren, now Tomasz Konior and other wonderful architects working with us on the modernization of the 17th-century palace full of surprises." He thanked everyone for their contribution to the renovation of the Palace and mentioned that the effect was well received by visitors. In over six months, 170,000 visits were recorded, and the Palace is currently one of the seats of the Polish Presidency of the European Union.
The jury appreciated the masterful metamorphosis, which made the Palace of the Republic an open, friendly public facility, acting as a treasury of the National Library. The wonderful integration of the Wilanów Library, the surviving book collection and original furniture with the modern space is the result of precise renovation and recreation of architectural details, such as floors, walls and decorated vaults. The Palace of the Republic has become a ceremonial and functional venue, combining history with modernity.
